This years Banquet Programs have been very successful. The following states have raised tremendous amount of monies for their states as well as FBU along with having a fun filled event that attendees look forward to coming back to each year.

Since my last report Maryland had a banquet with Ron Leggett Chairman to wrap up 2005 in October which cleared

$9,565.38.

Iowa had three separate events that cleared $34,208.49. Maryland cleared $7,846.48 and Ohio $6,919.56. Last years 2005 convention in Indiana cleared $23,420.63. The 2006 convention events have cleared:

Tennessee $4,904.39, Idaho  $6,790.02  Maryland $5,924.21 and Kansas $19,542.35. For a grand total of income since last years convention in Goshen of $119,121.51. That is a pretty impressive income from 12 months of efforts.

These events are so successful from the support we receive from each of you our affiliate states. I want to take this opportunity to thank you once again for your support and dedication to insure these events are as successful as can be. Thank you! In addition I would like to thank all the vendors that chips in and supplies the fill in items for the raffles at all our events. They are all listed in each program so please tell them thank you as well when you are supporting them. These guys and gals are what helps make our events successful. Last but not least an additional and heartfelt thank you goes out to the Chairman and the Committee’s from the states that makes these banquets a success! Thanks Again ~

I would also like to encourage each state to become active in holding these events. I have a Preliminary Detail list designed to get you started. The hardest part in hosting a banquet is getting together a committee to ensure success. Once that is tackled everything else falls into place. I will attend an organizational meeting to get new states up and going. I will assist you thru each step of the course.  This is an easy and fun way to raise monies for your state and FBU.

FBU has arrangements thru Ruger to purchase a gun at cost that we use for the Gun of the Year Raffle which is engraved per event. As well as additional guns for the events for the raffle. This event alone makes approximately $1500.00 after the gun and engraving is paid for. FBU will supply you with a Print of the Year that is no cost to the event. This raises several hundred dollars for the event. FBU supplies everything you need to get going, tickets, flyers, posters, donation letters, thank you’s, raffle tickets etc.  FBU has vendors that allow us to purchase items to fill in spots on consignment. This allows us to get things needed to make the event successful after donations are solicited locally by your committee and state members. If deposits are required for the event FBU handles those as well. We supply tax forms to make ease in soliciting donations that are tax deductible, credit card machine, shirts for your committee, hats and pens for each attendee. In summary you need to form a committee that will sell tickets and solicit donations for the event along with a few other details that I will work with you on.  The rest of the process is simple and we assist you throughout. Including attending event to help in set up and all details to make event successful.

I look forward to working with your state and committee. Call to set up an organizational meeting. The rest is simple. Cindy Seff, Fundraising Chairman FBU 928-300-8684, AzTrappers@hughes.net. Please don’t hesitate to talk this over with me at any of the conventions coming up this next year or just pick up the phone and call or email me. Take a look at our photo album to see just how much fun the event is for everyone.  Don’t hesitate to begin this task, that’s the hardest part!

Finally thanks to everyone that supports the raffles and auctions! You guys and gals are the final factor in making these successful! Thanks again so much! I look forward to seeing you down the road in 2007 !

Cindy Seff, Fundraising Chairman FBU